Late October - thread 6

[DressingGown87]

Thread 6 ladies! And the final one

Girls: @DressingGown87 @Jaffas22 @DogCatDex @EmmaA96 (twins) @Parks11 @LadyB90 @Strawberries4days @LST87 @sls668 @plentyofplants Uppsydaisy (Girl twin)

Boys: @sunbreak @FirstSurprise001 @WaveStreet @roarfeckingroar
@Mc3209 @KitKatKit @1990shopefulftm @Lolllyf @HelenMarie1001 @Freddie1987 @BS9790 @hmeadow24 @Ghostworld @roarfeckingroarr @Glooorb @mamavee @UpsyDaisy1234 (Boy twin) @Samk93

Surprise / Waiting
@60sPony @Monkeyseesmonkeydoesnt @AdventureAhead @Elizag20 @justtb @Clalou83 @SJR86 @Flora20 @Watersintheclouds @Jaffas22 @justtb

If I have missed you! Sorry! I did quickly scan through the start of the last thread, to add people and update the list, but only did this quick.

@CurlyMummy1912 hope you've been resting the rest of the weekend and no more swollen feet.

@roarfeckingroarr hope your scan goes well tomorrow and it's just the bump measuring inaccurately. How was your steak? I have been craving one but saving it for after, along with a glass of wine.

@Flora20 that sounds painful you poor thing! Wishing you better quickly.

@DressingGown87 that must be such a drastic change of mindset for you. It seems like its come around to nearly your induction day so quickly! Is your BP out of isolation now?

@firstsurprise001 i feel for you with the leg and back pain. Mine was so bad a few weeks ago but it did pass, think i had pain for around 3 weeks though so hope yours passes sooner. Unfortunately i didn't find much to help the pain except sitting on my ball. Sorry to hear about your bad day today too, i washed one of the baby's cardigans a few weeks ago and it caught in the washing machine and unravelled 😩

@Mc3209 great effort on the garden! I do not have the enthusiasm for gardening at the best of times.

My bump has dropped this week and although he's been measuring average or just below until now, I've been attracting a lot of big bump comments this weekend so I must be looking pretty whale-like all of a sudden 😔 I've found it harder to feel movements since the bump dropped but they are still there so just keeping a close eye on things for now.

@CurlyMummy1912 thank you! I've been weirdly active this week and I really want baby to make an appearance soon.

@WaveStreet I hope it's nothing too serious but I'm preparing for a talk about getting things going if baby is small. Steak was excellent thank you!

@roarfeckingroarr sounds reasonable considering your due date is here anyway! Eeek exciting!

Anyone else really worrying about what the new lockdown announcement is going to be today? I’ve been blocking it out the last few weeks and just trying to carry on as normal but it really does appear like it’s going to be ramped up this week. 🤦🏼‍♀️

@FirstSurprise001
Yep snap on that one! I'm not sure what time Boris is making the announcement? I think it's going to really vary depending on area, but feel like I need to make an alternative plan as it sounds silly but I have quite a difficult dog that needs looking after when I go into labour and the plan is my mum is coming to look after him but she's not local and we don't have any other family locally either. So I'm hoping they don't restrict travel as I don't actually know what I'd do with the dog, and then there's obviously all the other potential hospital restrictions too.

@roarfeckingroarr Happy due date!

@FirstSurprise001 I've also got the leg/back pain, I looked up some stretches yesterday but getting on the floor was difficult enough, so I ended up just lying there until my DP could come and help me up

Had a really bad anxiety night last night, is anyone else finding it really hard that its baby loss awareness week? I think its so important but seeing all of these stories on Instagram just makes me think the worst constantly. Then there is the lockdown announcement today and on top of that I just happened to have seen a thread about how many people break up in their first year of having a baby and so was worrying about that all night! I've been properly awake since 6 and felt like crying since then!

@LadyB90 I think it’s expected around midday today where he does his House of Commons announcement and then they set it out in more detail some time in the evening. We’re the same with having to have my sister come and get the dog when the time comes and then keeping him for however long it takes. I’m dreading them changing the hospital rules when we’ve only just got a bit of normality back to it! As silly as it sounds I’ve been Googling how to get labour going ASAP all morning as I just don’t want to be restricted even more!

@GhostWorld haha I can’t get on the floor either! The one time I did it was quite literally like a turtle had fallen on its back and couldn’t get back over 😂 I think what you’re feeling is completely normal! Pregnancy is such an anxious time anyway but then add in everything that this year has thrown at us, it’s a wonder we’re all still sane! Just keep focusing on the baby, make plans for the future and talk as much as you can!

If it helps, me and DP had a chat the other day about how stressed we’re both likely to be in the first few weeks and agreed that we’d always make at least an hour in the evening where it’s just us two and try to talk every week in a calm manner about what we think is working or not with the baby. Chin up and try not to get yourself upset ❤️🥰

@roarfeckingroarr happy due date for yesterday, and well done for that amazing walk! Hope your scan goes well today.

@Flora20 exciting that your bump has dropped, I’m measuring average, and I get loads of omg your huge comments. Yes luckily she is is out of isolation. Tomorrow has come around so quick, it’s going to be a long day today. Hope your doing ok?

@FirstSurprise001 I’m trying to think about it too, I’ve come to the conclusion that my mental well-being is important, so if I need support after the baby is born, which means someone has to come in my house, so be it. I think you should be fine with your sister getting the dog, and the same with you @LadyB90 as what else your meant to do, there needs to be exceptions to the rules (within reason).

@GhostWorld sorry to hear your suffering with anxiety. My daughter would have been 8 this month, so October is always a horrible time of year. I keep thinking we’ve got this far, I can feel her fluttering around, I’m in safe hands, and trying to stay off social Media at the minute. Give your self some treats today, watch a film, rest, bake a cake, take a bump selfie, make some plans and remember we haven’t got too far to go. Be kind to yourself.

@FirstSurprise001 I just keep telling myself that I ve got through 7 months without seeing family or friends that I can do it when babies here (they're all in different areas that also have high rates and many would struggle if they had to take 2 weeks of work so it's not worth it) and small silver lining it's an excuse to get used to being parents without visitors around for a while.

My sister is autistic so if someone says you shouldn't do something she never normally argues that but I had to explain to her that we might not see each other at Christmas for the first time or see her nephew in person for a while and it was difficult to see how upset it made her.

Yes, I ve been bouncing on my ball and trying to get what exercise I can incase it gets things going, I m 38 weeks today so I feel like he's "fully cooked" per say and want him out before the hospital was to change their mind.

@GhostWorld thank you. I know what you mean about getting stuck. A mere few weeks ago I was still doing daily yoga but now it's a struggle to sit up properly when I've been lying on the sofa. I tried a few yoga birth squats yesterday and tipped over .

@DressingGown87 thank you. Still no sign of baby! Curry tonight.

Baby loss awareness - didn't need this right now. I know it's important but all these reminders of what can happen couldn't have come at a worse time when I have this scan late this afternoon and I'm scared shitless about it. Argh.

I'm trying not to follow lockdown announcements too closely. We're in London so a bit behind in terms of cases and restrictions. Can't really cope with idea of DP not being allowed in.

All rather gloomy today isn't it. No idea what to do with myself as I sort of thought there might be a baby by now!

It's really shit. I think I'd rather give birth on my kitchen floor than go it alone - I do think the birth partner restrictions won't be as bad in reality though, all the work and effort that has gone into reversing some rules that were in place at the beginning of the year can't be ignored!

It's my last week of work this week, I'm already feeling mentally 'signed off'. Just so tired now! I want to do fun things like bake, and cook, and sit and drink hot chocolate.

It's really odd though, I'm going to be away from work for almost a year, I've not seen my colleagues since March and I'm not having any kind of send of or anything - just so weird!!

Oh, and I've just remembered something that was really useful for my hospital bag last time - a plastic carrier to put any soiled clothes in (glam or what)!

I don't think they will tighten labour restrictions any further, I had a growth scan at 36 weeks and it was the first one my partner was allowed to come to! So odd, but it felt nice nonetheless.
They've been slowly easing them rather than tightening them so I think they realise the importance of a birth partner.. I even saw someone post that as long as their partner didn't leave the room they were allowed to stay?
Guess my other half is gonna be my hostage haha.

I am the only one of my family to live in England and I've only seen my family once this year. They can't come over for the birth as most flights have been cancelled plus the isolating on both ends.
My partner's family lives on the other side of the country and is just as likely to make it across.
It's gonna be very hard but it'll just be two (three soon!) of us for the foreseeable future.
So whatever he announces today I really don't think it would make much of a difference for my personal situation!

I’m currently self isolating waiting for a test and then have found out today we have another case at work. Luckily I missed her as I was already isolating. I have two other friends who have tested positive - we’re in Leeds and it seems to be getting quite intense!

In other news, I went into MAC for reduced movements last night as I couldn’t attend my 36 week appointment and the midwife scared me a bit saying I had to go straight away to get any concerns checked. They said there were no concerns but, as standard procedure, have booked me in for a scan this aft to check growth, fluid levels etc. I’m looking forward to seeing her again.

The Baby loss awareness month posts have freaked me out too. I am ok with the early miscarriage ones but I’m having the scroll pas the ones that happen later in term. I know it’s really important but I just don’t want to read them right now.

Is anyone starting to feel a bit uneasy about others visiting the baby when they arrive? I’ve been fine throughout but the cases just seem to be going crazy right now

@Sls668 would you feel happier setting boundaries before baby arrives so that visitors are clear what you're happy with?

we've not had to have that conversation yet, as my family understands that i wouldn't be happy breaking the guidelines and some of the in laws are having to self isolate at the moment so we shouldn't need to have that conversation i'd hope.

@1990shopefulftm I think it’s a conversation we’ll have to have very soon. We both have such big immediate families too so, even if we restrict it to close family, it still covers a lot of people. It’s hard to know how guidelines/restrictions/the situation will change too!

@Sls668 I'm with you in Leeds and feeling the intensity too. Having to have difficult conversations with boyfriend about his family and how they're going to visit as they live near Hull whereas my mum and dad are round the corner...his parents visit his severely autistic brother in care every week too so it's a case of working out how to reduce their virus risk whilst also allowing them to see their first grandchild soon enough. Don't even get me started on Christmas plans! Aaarrgghhhh.

@roarfeckingroarr fingers crossed you don't have much longer to wait, it's hard to keep busy and not feel distracted every hour wondering 'when it's time' sort of thing! Well done on attempting the yoga though, I've been beating myself up not doing any for weeks even though I've been practicing pretty solidly for years- just don't have the energy at all! Telling myself lots of relaxing stretches is enough for now...

@GhostWorld totally with you on the anxiety, I think it's better for our wellbeing to check out of those sort of posts for now and focus on ourselves and creating a happy environment mentally x

@Flora20 oh no, hope the pain has eased off today? Hope this isn't affecting home birth plans? We've had a right mare trying to get bloody tap connectors for the hose pipe, never imagined such a small thing could cause so much stress 😹

@1990shopefulftm sorry your sister got upset with the restrictions.

@roarfeckingroarr finger crossed for you. I’m at a loss too, I’ve repacked myself hospital bag. But rather bored. Today is going to be a long day!

@sls668 I’ve seen a huge increase infections too with people around me. It’s scary. Good luck with your scan this afternoon.

I’ve got a rota in place with selected friends, and have had a conversation with ones I deem higher risk (ones who socialise ALOT, who don’t believe in the rules, or work in high risk environments) that they won’t see the baby until I’m ready. I struggle with MH already, and the thought of being locked in my house alone with a baby, fills me with anxiety, especially if I have an EMCS.

Does anyone else have to have a COvid test prior to going in hospital? Mine is tomorrow. I don’t know what happens if it’s positive.

@Freddie1987 my partners family are all down in London, his sisters have already asked how I feel about visitors which I actually really appreciated. At the time I said it should be fine unless there were any big changes (but we seem to be going through the big changes now!). My family are all local but pretty much all in people facing job roles. I’m really conscious as well that I feel it would be really unfair to have my family to see the baby but ask him to reduce who can come in his family so I feel like it’s nobody or everybody!

@DressingGown87 thank you, I’m not too worried for the scan, hopefully it’ll just be a nice opportunity to see her again

@DressingGown87 a friend of my DH is due two weeks after me and has been admitted to the hospital a couple of times in her pregnancy and got a covid test both times, she was told she would need to be isolated in a separate part of the ward if it came back positive but as she didn't have any symptoms at all they didn't treat her any differently whilst waiting on the result.

@Sls668 hopefully both sides of our family are understanding if you stuck to a select few to begin with.

@dressinggown87 it's likely required to protect staff etc and like @1990shopefultm says, to know who to isolate and who not too.

I haven't seen my parents since xmas 2019, we were due to visit in March just before it all kicked off (my mum has COPD so very high risk) and the other side of the family since Feb. It's really difficult. I can see this being the case until Sping but I'm trying to remain positive and remember it's for their benefit as well as ours (health wise)..

@Monkeyseesmonkeydoesnt we've decided to not attempt a big family Christmas this year but are hoping to do it at Easter. Hopefully things could be mostly back to normal by then x

Scan went well and baby is fine! 7lb 8oz at 40+1 and I'm going in for a sweep on Thursday. So relieved!!

@Freddie1987 gentle stretches are the best. I'm genuinely struggling to get off the floor afterwards!

@DressingGown87 I opened my hospital bag today, looked at it, thought about repacking and then closed it again. It sort of felt like an achievement!

@1990shopefulftm @Monkeyseesmonkeydoesnt thank you both. I think it’s just what happens with my baby afterwards / birthing partner as they are a different household. Fingers crossed it’s something I don’t have to worry about it.

@monkeyseemonkeydoesnt sorry you’ve not seen your mum, glad your staying positive. Hopefully you can see them as soon as possible.

@roarfeckingroarr glad your scan went well. That’s a good size too. The sweep wasn’t too bad. Hope you find something to pass the days. Haha I’ve separated mine, and reorganised it. As I’m being induced, there might be a couple of days where I don’t need the baby stuff, so leaving that with my friend to drop off. Makes it look less like I’m moving in 😂 plus I can pack more snacks now!

All was great at my scan, I knew I was just being neurotic. She’s approximately 7lb 2oz (37+3) and the absolute double of her dad, I’ve never seen anything like it!!!